THERE is growing concern over safety in the Riverside Road precinct.

This follows the discovery of a decomposing body in the dense vegetation along the river bank, another body being pulled out of the river, and the discovery of a body in the mangroves along Riverside Road, all within two months.

Residents also met with ward councillor Heinz de Boer to voice their frustrations on a number of issues, including illegal dumping, drug-related activity and criminal activity.

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According to the CPF, one of the pressing issues is the fencing next to the Umgeni Bird Park (along the river), which they say is ‘weak and broken’ allowing fence-hoppers to enter private properties, particularly those in Wedgewood Crescent.

De Boer recently held a street meeting with residents who recounted several incidents of home invasions and one incident where a suspect threatened a resident with rape.

“Since that meeting we have been successful in terms of ward budget to draw up fencing from the bird park going down to Browns Drift Road. Residents of upper Umgeni Park area have had several incidents of crime and the project has been costed with consulting engineers and we hope that gets underway in the new year. It is one success story, however, there are other pressing issues that need to be addressed in the precinct.

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“Illegal dumping in the bushes, homelessness, sex work and anti-social behaviour were other concerns raised. To this point I have met with Metro Police and the Greenwood Park SAPS as well as other stakeholders, including the municipality. We also require the help of land invasion to go into the surrounding bushes and remove informal dwellings. The three bodies discovered at different points along Riverside Road are also deeply concerning. We understand that there are constraints from some of the roleplayers involved but we need their support,” he said.

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